Rila
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Rila.jpg
The Rila is a mountain range in western Bulgaria. The range includes Musala, at 2925 m the highest mountain in Bulgaria and the whole of the Balkan Peninsula. The range occupies an area of 2629 km². The average altitude is 1487 m. There are more than 120 glacial lakes. One of the hottest mineral spring is in Sapareva banya with temperature over 103°C.
The name Rila is derived from the Thracian word roula, meaning "lots of water". Some of the largest rivers in the Balkan Peninsula originate here. These are Maritsa, Iskur, Mesta.
Mountain areas
Eastern Rila This is the highest part of the range. Musala is here together with 11 other peaks. There are some groups of glacier lakes: Musala lakes (with lake Ledenoto being the highly located in Bulgaria and on the Balkan peninsula – 2709 m above sea level), Maritsa lakes, Ropalitsa lakes. A meteorological station was built on Musala in 1932. That part of the mountain is an attractive tourist destination. The mountain resort Borovetz has a world-wide popularity.
Central Part This is the steepest part of the mountain and is rich in lakes – Ribni lakes, Jerman lakes, Monastery lakes with the biggest lake on the Balkan peninsula – Smradlivo (2120 ha).
North-western part It occupies 1/3 of the whole mountain territory. The most famous of all peaks is Malyovitsa (2730 m), a symbol of the Bulgarian mountain climbing. The biggest lakes are The Seven Rila lakes.
South-western part The oldest natural reserve in Bulgaria – Parangalitsa, is situated here.
The Rila National Park, the largest national park in Bulgaria, is located about 70 km south of Sofia, in the central and highest regions of the Rila Mountains. The park contains rare and endangered wildlife species and communities, self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as historic sites of global cultural and scientific significance.
The famous Rila Monastery is also located in the Rila Mountain. The monument is a characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th–19th centuries) and symbolizes an awareness of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation.
External links
- Rila National Park, Official Site (http://www.rilanationalpark.org)bg:Рила